Taleporia tubulosa
This record describes Taleporia tubulosa (species). Recorded family: Psychidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 15 to 19 mm (male). The females are completely wingless, resembling small yellow grubs. The males are dull brownish affairs. Usually found by locating the case on trees or fences with a covering of lichen. Members of this family are sometimes known as 'bagworms' because of the larval habit of constructing a case, or bag, in which to live. This species produces a long, narrow case made from fragments of sand, lichen and bark, bound together with silk, and the larva feeds on lichens where the case is attached (usually a tree trunk or fence). Sparsely scattered through central and southern England and Wales. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Taleporia tubulosa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taleporia_tubulosa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tineoidea
- Family
- Psychidae (Bagworm Moths)
- Subfamily
- Taleporiinae
- Tribe
- Taleporiini
- Genus
- Taleporia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually found by locating the case on trees or fences with a covering of lichen.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths appear in May and June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Members of this family are sometimes known as 'bagworms' because of the larval habit of constructing a case, or bag, in which to live. This species produces a long, narrow case made from fragments of sand, lichen and bark, bound together with silk, and the larva feeds on lichens where the case is attached (usually a tree trunk or fence).
Additional species information
Recorded status
Sparsely scattered through central and southern England and Wales. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Taleporia tubulosa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Taleporia tubulosa (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About Taleporia tubulosa
What is Taleporia tubulosa?
Taleporia tubulosa is a species in the family Psychidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Taleporia tubulosa found?
Habitat: Usually found by locating the case on trees or fences with a covering of lichen.
When is Taleporia tubulosa active?
Taleporia tubulosa: seasonal activity - The adult moths appear in May and June..
What is the life cycle of a Taleporia tubulosa?
Members of this family are sometimes known as 'bagworms' because of the larval habit of constructing a case, or bag, in which to live. This species produces a long, narrow case made from fragments of sand, lichen and bark, bound together with silk, and the larva feeds on lichens where the case is attached (usually a tree trunk or fence).